ON OUR RADAR: BLACKBERRY FARM OPENS A NEW HOTEL IN CASHIERS, NORTH CAROLINA

Known for its luxuriously laidback sensibilities, The High Hampton Inn has been a beloved destination for generations of summer gatherings and long weekend getaways. The Inn was recently purchased and renovated by Blackberry Farm owners, The Beall Family in partnership with Arlington Family Offices and Daniel Communities and opened this year as High Hamptons Resort.

The details below —

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ROOMS: 18 Inn Rooms, 40 Cottage Rooms and 3 Cabins.

GETTING HERE: A one hour drive from Asheville Regional Airport. ( AVL )

ACTIVITIES: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Golf, Lawn Sports, Tennis, Pool, Watersports, Fishing, Wine and Whisky Tastings, Kids Club and Spa.

DINING: There are three restaurants ranging from fine dining to casual pub fare.

IDEAL GUEST: We love this for families in the summer or a couple’s long weekend getaway in the fall.

MAPPS X HH: Special nightly rates. Rates include breakfast and dinner daily.

MAPPS TIP: While the renovation is fresh, the history of the Inn remains the same including their squeaky wooden floors. We have been booking only high floor rooms for our clients in the main Inn.

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SPECIAL EDITION: WHERE TO EAT & DRINK ON ACK

Nantucket, a tiny island off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is a magical summer destination with untouched dune backed beaches, cedar-shingled buildings, manicured lawns and fragrant blooms of hydrangeas. The cobblestoned streets in town are lined with upscale boutiques, ( Goop recently moved in ) steepled churches and a rising food scene that has been generating much buzz and certainly peeked our curiosity. We packed our bags and headed north and ate and drank our way through the Grey Lady for days. We are happy to report back that it delivered on every level. We rounded up our favorites that we feel are must-worthy stops below — Elisa

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Bartlett’s Farm: Family owned farm with 40 greenhouses filled with organic greens, hothouse tomatoes, flowering plants and fragrant herbs. On your way out, pick up food from their farm to go menu and make an epic picnic basket for the beach.

Boarding House: American fare served on either their scenic patio, chic bar or cozy cellar dining room. We are big fans of their weekend brunch.

Cisco Brewers: Island staple for great local beers, creative cocktails, live music and delicious food trucks. It was love at first sight for us when we tried their raspberry frose with estate grown mint and the truck from 167 Raw.

Cru: Stylish hot spot, right on the water, offering a sophisticated raw bar and a very happening cocktail scene.

Dune: A fabulous date night spot with an exotic quartzite bar, charming patio, an extensive selection of handcrafted cocktails, wines and a farm to table menu of seasonal goodness. We will take the Caeser salad and grey lady oysters please.

Galley Beach: an awesome spot to end the day, toes in sand with cocktails and shared plates.

Jack and Charlie’s: While everyone will tell you to go to Juice for ice cream, we are telling you to go to Jack and Charlie’s… trust us!

Lemon Press: Grab an go smoothies and fresh pressed juices.

Lola 41: Chic hot spot that draws crowds craving their sushi and bistro menu. They recently unveiled their latest outpost in Palm Beach, Florida. Do not skip their rolls or truffle fries. Sounds weird , we know… but it works!

Pearl: Seafood with an innovative asian fusion twist. Sichuan Pork Dumplings, Lobster Wok, Tuna Tartare… yum!

Pizzeria Gemelle: Playful brick oven pizzeria serving up classics and creatives as well as salads & house-made gelatos. Order the Annabella: mozz, sliced guanciale, black truffle and cracked egg. You are most welcome.

Provisions: Hands down the best sandwich shop on island. We could seriously eat their tomato mozzarella with balsamic sandwich for lunch everyday.

Seasons: New American seasonal foods & over 500 American-made wines, served by candlelight. Reserve a table in the patio garden well in advance to up the romance game.

Straight Wharf: Summer seafood classics paired with wine on a waterfront porch.

The Beet: Best chopped salads for lunch on the go.

The Chicken Box: Unpretentious roadhouse with regular concerts (jazz, blues, rock) billard tables, ping pong & darts.

The Gas Light: Live music destination featuring local, regional and national acts, seven nights a week in the summer. 

Ventuno: Under their trellis of vines, locals mingle with the summer crowd over delicious red wines, Italian-inspired fare and cured meats. We love their Spaghetti alle Vongole and Roast Half Chicken.

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WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

GETTING HERE: 1.5 hours south of Boston and 3.5 hours north of NYC by car.

BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: June-September and in December for Christmas Stroll.

IDEAL TRAVELER: Families, couples, groups of friends or ladies weekend.

P.S. Nantucket offers miles of scenic bike trails and paved paths that take you to every corner of the island, from beautiful beaches to lighthouses and historic sites. The 15-mile Triple Crown path follows along Nantucket Harbor, Nantucket Sound, and the Atlantic Ocean. Starting in town, the 28-mile East Side Trail takes you to the best beaches and lighthouses, past Surfside Beach, Sconset Beach, and Sankaty Head lighthouse and up to Altar Rock with a sweeping view of the island.

Email info@mapps.com to start planning your next trip to Nantucket.

BEHIND THE SCENES: CHECKING OUT THE GRAND DAME OF WATCH HILL

Watch Hill, Rhode Island is a low-key, unpretentious beach town with just the right dash of elegance thanks to The Ocean House Hotel, the perfectly manicured hedges and a sleuth of famous residents which include none other then Ms. Taylor Swift. This coastal village not only is less crowded than the Hamptons and easier to reach than MV or Nantucket, it also has endless pristine beaches, art galleries and a full food scene… making it an ideal destination 365 days a year. After 106 days at home, I packed my bags and trunk and drove North to check it all out. What I found was a playground for the discerning traveler and a heavenly sandwich from Sift Bakery that I still cannot replicate no matter how many times I have tried. The details below — xx Elisa

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STAY

OCEAN HOUSE: The grand dame of Watch Hill is perched dramatically on a hill that leads down to a white sandy beach. The elegant property, part of the Relais and Chateaux collection has the feel of an intimate resort even though it boosts 6 restaurants, an indoor/outdoor pool, a movie theater and a Forbes five star spa. Open year round, the hotel offers uncompromising service, Mercedes Benz house cars, world class amenities, endless activities and a full service kids club.

ACCOMODATIONS: 45 rooms, 19 suites that each features a full kitchen, dining and living are as well as terrace and ocean views and 6 private cottages.

MAPPS FAV: At the hotel we loved The Seaglass Suite and The Morgan Suite. Off property, the private cottages were spacious, well appointed and are the perfect option for those seeking privacy with access to resort amenities.

ROOM TO SKIP: Standard Queen room. It certainly is a lovely accommodation but neighborhood views are not for everyone and some of these do not offer a tub. 

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WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

MAPPS X OCEAN HOUSE: Special nightly rates, upgrade subject to availability, complimentary daily breakfast and resort credits.

GETTING HERE: 2.5 hours north of New York City, 2 hours south of Boston and 45 minutes south of Newport, RI by car. There is a daily train from Penn Station NYC to Westerly, RI on Amtrak ( 3 hour ride ) and guests will be picked up by a staff member in a house car Mercedes and make the ten minute trek to the hotel.

ACTIVITIES: Beach, water sports including surf lessons, boating, fishing, indoor pool, fitness center and spa, movie theater, squash courts, croquet, golf, tennis, paddle, kids club, cooking classes and wine tastings.

IDEAL TRAVELER: Families, couples or groups of friends looking for an easy and active getaway.

BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: June-September or holiday weeks to enjoy all the special activities and decorations such as Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas… especially the winter fondue igloos.

P.S. On property do not miss the Veuve Cliquot Secret Garden Champagne Bar, weekend beach lobster boils and the taco beach shack. Off property take a hike on Napatree Point, grab ice cream at nearby Claire Annex, baked goods, salads and sandwiches at Sift Bakery, dinner in town at The Olympic Tea Room and pick up candles at WH2O.

PACK YOUR BAGS and we will handle the rest. Email info@mappstravel.com to start planning.

CHEF'S TABLE: MONTAUK'S FAMOUS LOBSTER COBB SALAD

Duryea’s Lobster Deck is a Montauk icon and their $58.00 lobster cobb salad is a summer staple among Hamptonites. Clearly there is a reason why Duryea’s sells more than 2,500 of them during high season. Below the recipe. Enjoy XX 

CHEF: Phillipe Corbet

Ingredients & Instructions: ( serves 3-4 )

8 oz. freshly picked steamed lobster meat (claw, knuckle and tail meat) 

2 oz. finely minced celery (only the inner leaves and stalk)
A fresh squeeze of lemon juice
1 Tbsp. mayonnaise
Salt and freshly cracked white pepper, to taste
Gently toss all ingredients together.

Lettuce:
Baby gem lettuce, clean leaves

For the dressing, whisk together:
1/4 cup buttermilk, well shaken
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. tarragon vinegar
1/2 Tbsp. fresh tarragon, finely chopped 
1/4 tsp. garlic cloves, minced 
1/4 tsp. shallots, diced 
1/8 tsp. mustard powder
1/2 scallion, chopped
1 dash Tabasco
1/2 Tbsp. fresh chives, parsley and oregano, chopped and mixed 
Salt and white pepper to taste

For a better result, make the dressing a day before so all ingredients infuse together.

Toppings:
1 Tbsp. bacon bits
1 Tbsp. sharp cheddar shavings
1 hard-boiled egg (per person) chopped 
1/2 avocado (per person), diced 
5 heirloom cherry tomatoes (per person), halved 

In a large salad bowl, toss the gem lettuce leaves with the dressing. Place the lobster salad on top. Finish up by sprinkling on the topping.