Misstropolis

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Stylish Modern Travel

Right about now, the iciest, chilliest time in New England, it’s tempting to spend a good part of the day looking for travel deals or exotic new vacation ideas.

Misstropolis has long been a fan of upscale, Los Angeles based travel site Area-Daily. We thought this would be a good time to check in with founder Jody Raida and get the latest on what a true global travel goddess recommends. We asked her a couple questions about Area and the best in adventure, family and luxury travel. Here’s what she had to say.

Miss: How did Area first come into being?
JR: Area first came into being when a friend and I realized that there was no place online where we could get good advice on stylish travel. There were sites that covered low-budget and luxury travel, covering locations with no added services, but no one focused on the stylish + modern traveler. So we set out to make Area a true insider’s guide to memorable and original places and things to see and do around the globe.

Miss: What makes Area unique compared to other boutique travel sites?
JR: Area is unique because it is one-stop shopping. You can browse content for inspiration and recommendations, book customized trips through Area Valet, get special discounts and deals, and organize your next getaway through our Travel Links. And coming soon - Area Video - a place where readers can share their favorite destinations and share their best travel moments.

Miss: What were some of your favorite destinations or events to cover?
JR: I loved covering the White Turf International Horse Races in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Art Basel Miami Beach, and thoroughly enjoyed truffle hunting in Alba, Italy.

Miss: Can you take advantage of some of Area’s offerings if you have a limited budget?
JR: Absolutely! Stylish travel doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Many of our trips are reasonably priced - what sets them apart is that they are creative and original.

Miss: What do you recommend for a romantic getaway?
JR: Sailing around Bora Bora’s dreamy tropical lagoon on a Hobie Cat 21 (you can stop on a deserted sandy white beach for a swim), hot air ballooning over the Loire Valley in France, or traveling to the inside of one of the world’s most exclusive diamond vaults and picking your very own diamond.

Miss: Are there any truly remote places left to visit?
JR: Yes, Gabon, West Africa is my favorite off-the-beaten track destination at the moment because the country recently set aside 11% of its land for national parks and the empty beaches, extraordinary wildlife, and eco-friendly development make it ripe for exploring; and Greenland is not very visited, and now is the time to go as global warming is causing the country’s breathtaking glaciers to get smaller every day.

Miss: What is the sexiest destination of them all?!

JR: Cayo Espanto, San Pedro, Belize - you can frolic on your own private island.

Or if adventure is more your thing, we have an Area Valet trip to Chamonix, France where you can make like a Bond girl and heli-ski through amazing scenery, then gaze at the might of Mont Blanc (Europe’s highest mountain) from a private luxury chalet whilst sipping champagne and nibbling on canapés in your Jacuzzi with your own 007.

© Misstropolis.com

Miss: Ok, lets pretend you have a 40th birthday coming up and you want to plan a killer trip with friends, what would you choose?
JR: Sailing through the Croatian islands on a full crew skippered yacht, bookable through Area Valet, or renting an amazing loft in Paris then shopping the day away with our own personal car and driver.