Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Paris: Photo Tour

 The Red Balloon recently visited the iconic city of Paris.

Here's a photo tour to enjoy!















Adieu!

Thursday, March 13, 2025

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.
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.
  
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! 

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.

Faraway Martha's Vineyard officially reopens on April 21, 2025. To book a suite at the Faraway be sure to visit: and let them know that The Red Balloon sent you. Here's to "Faraway" travels!

Alert for Spring 2025:Stay tuned for more from The Travel Series as The Red Balloon takes on an even bigger island!

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. 



Throughout each town in the Amalfi Coast is no shortage of things to see and do. Il Sentiero degli Dei or the Path of the Gods, was once the sole connection between the 13 villages of the Amalfi Coast. What are the 13 villages of the Amalfi Coast? 

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


                                       






Stay tuned for the next stop in The Red Balloon's Travels in Italy tour!



Travels in Italy: Venice

Travels in Italy: Part I    ~

Venice Photo Tour















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.”


Friday, January 17, 2025

Hasty Pudding: Man of the Year 2025

 THE HASTY PUDDING THEATRICALS ANNOUNCES

 

JON HAMM

 

AS 2025 MAN OF THE YEAR

 

CAMBRIDGE, MA (January 14, 2025) – The Hasty Pudding Theatricals, the oldest theatrical

organization in the United States, announces JON HAMM as the recipient of its 2025 Man of

the Year Award. From his iconic performances in Fargo, Landman, Grimsburg, Top Gun:

Maverick, Baby Driver, and Your Friends and Neighbors, to his Primetime Emmy and Golden

Globe Awarded role in Mad Men, the Pudding is proud to celebrate a truly unique and impactful

presence in the world of entertainment.

The Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ Man and Woman of the Year Awards are presented annually to

performers who have made lasting and impressive contributions to the world of entertainment.

The Man of the Year award was established in 1967, with past recipients including Clint

Eastwood, Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, Harrison Ford, Samuel L. Jackson, Ryan Reynolds, and

last year’s recipient Barry Keoghan, the 57th Man of the Year.

The Man of the Year festivities will take place on Friday, January 31st, 2025. The Hasty Pudding

Theatricals will host a celebratory roast for Mr. Hamm at 6:00pm and present him with his

Pudding Pot at Farkas Hall, the Pudding’s historic home in the heart of Harvard Square since

1888. A press conference will follow the roast at 6:20pm. Afterwards, Mr. Hamm will attend a

preview of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ 176th production 101 Damnations.

“Let’s hope our roast doesn’t give him any heart palpitations—he’s had enough drama with that,”

said Producer Willow Woodward. “But with his work ethic, we’re confident he’ll take on our

stage with as much grit as Texas oil fields. He’s the perfect man to strike gold and earn his

Pudding Pot this January.”

 

“We are beyond excited to honor Jon Hamm as our 2025 Man of the Year,” said President Cathy

Stanton. “Of course, to claim his Pudding Pot, he’ll have to prove he’s the real Jon

Hamm—we’ve seen how good he is at keeping an identity under wraps!”