TRAVEL DESTINATIONS: Mar Sodupe's Menorca

Why Menorca in the winter?
"I love this island all year round but in the winter, you really feel the force of nature, the wind, the sea. The weather can be beautiful, very sunny. There are fewer tourists and it isn't as hot. You can take your time discovering places by bicycle. I like to adventure into little towns like Mahon and Ciudadela that are always so easy-going and welcoming. If the sea is calm, you can go kayaking along the cliffs and explore the grottos. In the evening the best thing to do is to step out a little to admire the sky that seems to just overflow with stars and then curl up next to a fire in the chimney."

Where and what do you recommend eating?
"Any restaurant on the bay of Fornells - as long as the serve the famous Menorcan lobster soup, La Caldereta."

Bay of Fornells

Your favorite cocktail?
"'La Pomada' is a local specialty made of local gin - a holdover from the times of English colonization - and lemonade, very smooth."

Pomada Cocktail
Put plenty of ice and Xoriguer (Menorcan Gin) into a tall glass.
Add real lemonade or fresh lemon juice.
Finish with a little soda water, a dash of simple syrup and a slice of lemon.
Enjoy!

What are your favorite spots to visit?

"Two places come to mind. First, the Cape of Cavalleria. It has these incredible rocks and red earth that make it look like a lunar landscape...

A view over the Cape of Cavalleria

Second, the s'Hostal Quarries on the way to Ciudadela - they are truely magnificent - not your typical tourist site and well worth the visit."

The s'Hostal Quarries

Where's the best place to stay?
"The Biniarroca Country House Hotel near San Luis - a hotel in an old country house - is incredibly charming, especially in the winter."




And your favorite boutique?
"I absolutely love Vives - a little jeweller located on Calle de Carrer Nou in Mahon."

Juan Vives Campomar
Carre Nou 29
07701 Mao (Menorca), Spain

+34 971 362 846‎

ARIADNE MEETS THE WINNERS!

Ariadné met up in a Paris café with the winners of the Travel Photo Contest to deliver their prizes!!! Segolène and Geraldine look great in their new bags, if Ariadné does say so herself! Feeling a twinge of jealousy?? Stay tuned for the announcement of the next chance to win an Ariadné bag coming up soon!

ARIADNE: COUP DE COEUR DE DAPHNE BURKI

Daphné meets Ariadné
L'Edition Speciale, Canal+
Wednesday, October 8, 2008

AND THE WINNERS ARE...

After much difficult deliberation, it has been decided...
Ariadné is pleased to announce the two winners of the
Travel Photo Competition.


ARIADNE'S CHOICE FIRST PRIZE


Ségolène and her Alexandria win the Carry-On Weekender for their next trip to Mers-Les-Bains... or wherever their hearts may take them.



ON-LINE VIEWERS CHOICE PRIZE
A tough race, fought hard to the bitter end...



Geraldine and her Alexandria in Mers-les-Bains win with 170 votes!
Geraldine will take home a First Place Bag.


Ariadné thanks all of those who participated!!!

ARIADNÉ'S TRAVEL PHOTO CONTEST FINALISTS!

Ariadné really got around this summer and so she had lots of travel photos to choose from. It was a tough decision but here are the finalists! Stay tuned - the winner will be announced soon.

Alice and Elba in Venice, Italy.

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Amina and the Carry-0n on the train to Hyères, France.

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Amy and Tangiers in Ostende, Belgium.

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Anna and Alexandria in Paros, Greece.

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Caroline, Francis and the Par Avion Wallet in Somerset, England.

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Catherine and Elba in Alikampos, Crete.

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Daphne, Mouchette, the Carry-On and Ischia in Pornic, France.

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Gabriella and the Paquebot in Capri, Italy.

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Geraldine and Alexandria in Mers-les-Bains, France.

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Joan and the First Place purse in Dubai.

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Segolène and Alexandria in Mers-les-Bains, France

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Sophie and the Carry-On in Hyères.

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Sophie and Vik in the sky.

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Tricia and Alexandria in Venice, Italy.

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Zaklina and Alexandria in Budapest, Hungary.

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Where in the world is Ariadné?

Ah! Spring has sprung and Ariadné is already busy planning her summer holidays.

And though she'll miss you while she's gone she has a great idea for staying in touch:

Ariadné's Travels - A Photo Contest

Just follow these steps:

1. Go to your destination of choice, near or far, tropical or arctic, exotic or mundane - whatever you like, Ariadné is up for anything!
2. Be sure to bring your favorite Ariadné bag along for the ride as well as a camera.
3. Take a picture of you and your Ariadné bag en voyage.
4. Save it as a high resolution .jpg format file and email it to Ariadné at ariadne@ariadne-paris.com.
5. Make sure to include your name, the location the picture was taken and any comments you may want to add.
   

In September, Ariadné will select the winner based on a combination of the following criteria:

• Aesthetic prowess

• Spontaneous creativity

• Unexpected location (again, exotic or mundane... it is the idea that counts!)

Deadline: 1 September 2008

First Prize: The "Carry-on" Travel bag in Unbleached Linen Bramble Print and Black leather.



All submitted photos will be on exhibit in the gallery section of ariadne-paris.com in October 2008.

Any questions: write to Ariadné at ariadne@ariadne-paris.com.

Ariadné can't wait to see where in the world you've been - so bon voyage, have fun and say cheese!!!