Happy Birthday to The Red Balloon!
Monday, January 12, 2026
Friday, January 9, 2026
Faraway: Luxury on Martha's Vineyard
Picture it: postcard perfect sandy beaches, lighthouses, boutique shopping, and endless sightseeing all on an iconic island.
The island: Martha's Vineyard, a mere 7 miles from mainland but feels like an entire world away. Martha's Vineyard is made up of 6 distinct towns: Aquinnah, Chilmark, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury (also known as Vineyard Haven), West Tisbury, and Edgartown.
The Red Balloon recently visited Martha Vineyard for an extended stay. When visiting, be sure to book your stay at the most unique, luxury property on the island: Faraway Hotel. Faraway prides itself on being the ultimate oasis on the island. Faraway was awarded a Michelin Key in 2024. Note: the Michelin Key is for hotels which go above and beyond, delivering an exceptional and extraordinary stay. At the iconic Faraway Hotel you will experience a stay which is beyond compare. The hotel delivers in all aspects including the minute details.
When choosing your specific accommodations at Faraway, the options are plentiful. You can choose: Wheel House, designed for families, Court House, which has three bedrooms perfect for groups, Carriage House, for couples or solo travelers, Kelley House, for families, couples, or solo travelers, Chappy House, for those seeking a private balcony, or The Red Balloon's personal favorite, Mizzentop House, the epicenter of refined luxury. In Mizzentop, the suites include a dining area, kitchenette, and spacious living spaces. Check out the hotel's decor.
The Faraway Hotel location is in picturesque Edgartown. Edgartown is the oldest settlement on Martha's Vineyard. History loves rejoice: there is not a better spot to be in when traveling to Martha's Vineyard. Convienently located right by the Chappy ferry, you can be whisked away in FIVE minutes and spend the day on Chappaquiddick Island. Yes, you read that right, a five minute ferry ride from Edgartown brings you over to Chappaquiddick. Once there be sure to visit the Mytoi Japanese Garden. Back in Edgartown, there is no shortage of things to do. For flower lovers, not to be missed: Donaroma's Nurserym, featuring the most extraordinary flower arrangements on the island.
Next stop: for dreamers and readers: Edgartown Books. Marvel at the bookstore's inspiring staircase.
If you (or your fellow travelers) are a pharophile or a lighthouse enthusiast, you are in the right place. You can spend a day seeking out lighthouses on the island.
At the end of the day, back at the Faraway's Pelican Club, you can sit under a fringed umbrella while eating the most delectable just caught culinary delights. Don't let the name fool you because you can find it all so very close at the Faraway Hotel in Martha's Vineyard. There are two other food options at the hotel: Newes from America featuring local seafood and Snack Shack, ideal for poolside bites. As an added bonus: the hotel is pet friendly which means that Faraway can become an instant family favorite!
Remember to schedule time to see the gingerbread houses. These houses are lit up annually every third Wednesday in August. On those nights, thousands of colorful lanterns decorate the Oak Bluffs Camp Ground, better known by all as the gingerbread house's Annual Grand Illumination Night. The inaugural illumination was held in 1869. Clearly the event and island is rooted in so much history. If you are not traveling on one of the illumination nights, be sure to check the calendar of events for the Tabernacle since frequently, events are held there within the camp grounds.
Faraway Hotel is the brainchild of Boston-based Blue-flag partners. Blue-flag created the hotel with a story: a former islander who stowed away on a shipping vessel, returned home and filled their home with the treasures found at sea. Now, is your opportunity to find all of those treasures and more at Faraway.
Alert for Spring 2026:Stay tuned for more from The Travel Series as The Red Balloon takes on an even bigger island!
Monday, August 18, 2025
Paris: Photo Tour
The Red Balloon recently visited the iconic city of Paris.
Here's a photo tour to enjoy!
Adieu!
Saturday, March 8, 2025
Travels in Italy: Amalfi Coast
Travels in Italy: Part III ~
Amalfi Coast
Planning to explore the intense beauty of Italy's Amalfi Coast? You are in the right place because The Red Balloon has just returned and what an absolute breathtaking experience it is! The photos do not do it justice. Within the Campania region of Italy lies the Amalfi Coast, a 50 kilometer stretch of land that is beyond compare.
The coast is located between the Gulf of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno. Filled with gorgeous views, port cities, beautiful beaches, and pastel colored fishing villages. The beaches here are considered to be the best and most beautiful of the entire Tyrrhenian Sea. Tip: Check the weather since temperatures in some months (ie. summer) can get extremely hot.
Whether you are seeking the posh life of Positano
Or the artwork in Amalfi, the coast has it all!
The Amalfi Coast is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It officially earned its spot as a UNESCO world Heritage Site in 1997.
Below see the inside of the Parrochia Di San Gennaro, the Church of St. Gennaro, built in 1589. The church is divided into three naves. The church is a site to behold.
Glad you asked! They are: Amalfi, Atrani, Cetara, Conca de' Marini, Furore, Maiori, Minori, Positano, Praiano, Ravello, Scala, Tramonti, and Vietri su Mare. Each with their own unique and distinct ambience.
See a photo from the Path of the Gods:
Tip: Be sure to bring water with you on the trail. If you are traveling during a time of year when temperatures heat up, it is best to start early.
Be sure to bring a camera. You will be glad you did.
Tip: While on the Amalfi Coast be sure not to miss a visit to Capri. The Blue Grotto is the most visited site in Capri and The Red Balloon took a boat from the town of Amalfi to Capri and then a second boat to then board a row boat into the Blue Grotto. Behold you will be entered into a whole new world!
Stay turned for more tips from The Red Balloon's Travel Series.
Friday, March 7, 2025
Travels in Italy: Florence
Check out the Photo Preview as The Red Balloon takes over Florence, Italy!
See Travels in Italy Part II: Florence, Italy
Travels in Italy: Venice
Travels in Italy: Part I ~
Venice Photo Tour
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Stay turned for more from The Red Balloon's Travels in Italy Series.
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Hasty Pudding 2025 Woman of the Year
THE HASTY PUDDING THEATRICALS ANNOUNCES
CYNTHIA ERIVO
AS 2025 WOMAN OF THE YEAR
CAMBRIDGE, MA (January 21, 2025) – The Hasty Pudding
Theatricals, the oldest theatrical
organization in the United States, announces Emmy, Tony,
Grammy-winning and 2x Oscar
nominee CYNTHIA ERIVO as the recipient of its 2025 Woman of
the Year Award. From her
iconic performances in Harriet and Broadway’s The Color
Purple, to her recently critically
acclaimed role as Elphaba in Universal’s Wicked: Part One,
the Pudding is proud to celebrate her
truly unique and impactful presence in the world of
entertainment.
The Woman of the Year Award is the Hasty Pudding
Theatricals’ oldest honor, bestowed
annually on performers who have made lasting and impressive
contributions to the world of
entertainment. Established in 1951, the Woman of the Year
Award has been given to many
notable and talented entertainers including Meryl Streep,
Julia Roberts, Scarlett Johansson, Anne
Hathaway, Kerry Washington, and most recently Annette
Bening, the 74th Woman of the Year.
The Hasty Pudding Theatricals is a program of The Hasty
Pudding – Institute of 1770.
The Hasty Pudding Theatricals will host a celebratory roast
for Ms. Erivo on February 5th at
7:00pm, after which she will be presented with her Pudding Pot
at Farkas Hall, the Hasty
Pudding’s historic home in Harvard Square since 1888. A
press conference will follow the
presentation at 7:20pm. Afterwards, Ms. Erivo will attend a
performance of the Hasty Pudding
Theatricals’ 176th production, 101 Damnations.
“We are holding space for Cynthia Erivo’s arrival,” said Man
and Woman of the Year Events
Coordinator Hannah Frazer, “We’re sweeping out our
broomstick closets and prepping some
wicked smart humor as we eagerly await her in February.
Before she flies off with her Pudding
Pot, she’ll have to work a little magic to earn it.”
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