April is the month...

April is the month to...spring clean. Although your closet probably needs it, we're talking about your book shelves.
Replace some of your old island travel guides. Update yourself with some new ones. You'd be surprised at what's new in the latest editions of some of your favorites. Like Lonely Planet's 2002 editions of Ireland, Venice & Greece. Shelf life does matter.

"The Long and Short of it"

Where else but on Bermuda would you find the Bermuda Shorts Award? The Bermuda International Film Festival runs April 12th-18th this year. A good excuse to visit the island at a time when it's fresh, green, uncrowded & lovely, before all those honeymooners & traffic take over.

Although a "baby" among film festivals, Bermuda knows how to serve it up islandstyle. 50 features in Global categories compete. A luncheon series with industry "insiders" & lots of parties to keep you happy. It has the makings for a glorious week. The island's long & (bermuda) short of it, all wrapped up.

"A Reason to Go Back"


We wish we knew about the Chateau Zevgoli last summer, when we went to Naxos, Greece. Author Benedict Nightingale sings praises about this hotel in "Postcard from Naxos." From the current issue of "Departures" magazine, an American Express, Platinum member-only publication.

"Where even the posher hotels tend to be spare, unimaginative and dull," Nightingale reports the Chateau Zevogli has "the island's most attractive rooms." Combining comfort, history, crafts & culture, this is ethnic islandstyle as it should be. Guess we have to go back!

 

"Tre Belle"

Discovering "belle" magazine was a real find. The current issue's article, entitled "Belle-Ile, the Fine Art of Travel," is right up our alley. It's about an island off the north coast of France.

Famous artists, like Matisse, have been inspired by Belle-Ile's charm. Paintings of Belle-Ille's wild natural surroundings are featured in the article along with contemporary photographs of the same scene. Discovering such beautiful paintings from such a beautiful island is, as they say...a tre belle experience!

(If you can't locate the current issue, write to us at editor@islandstylebook.com and we'll send you a copy of the article.)

"Ralph's Runway Hit"


The new runway collection from Ralph Lauren has an islandstyle winner on its hands in its new spring/summer line. It's the "Katharine" Straw Hat (under fashion features/Brave New Looks).

Its leather ties, "crunchy" shape, warm color & large, real sun-shading size sets it apart from most others we've seen. Any hat-aholic will just have to swallow the $425 USD price tag in the name of islandstyle!