Artu: A Feast for the Senses

 If you are looking for a fantastic place to dine in Boston, look no further than Artu.

Located on Prince Street in Boston's historic North End, Artu offers everything in terms of pleasing everyone's palates. Whether you are looking for a vegetarian or gluten-free meal, Artu can accommodate.

Recently the restaurant served The Red Balloon an array of culinary wonders that drizzled and delighted.

For starters we feasted on:

Barbabietole: the beet salad with gorgonzola cheese and a delicious pistachio vinaigrette.

Polpette: house made meatballs made to perfection.

Pane: Grilled country bread topped with smoked mozzarella, backyard farm tomatoes, and prosciutto.

Capesante: Grilled sea scallop, cipollini puree, and oven roated cauliflower.

If that were not enough, the restaurant gave a wide array of options for the Primi and Secondi course.

The menu choices are numerous and the portions are generous. Artu has a private dining area which is a prime location to hold an event as it has a wonderful skylight, providing natural light into the space.

When you visit, the eggplant rollatini is a dish not to be missed.

For those seafood lovers, the salmone which includes buttered brussel sprouts and a potato puree is a delicious option.

As an authentic Italian restaurant, Artu served dessert consisting of the most decadent flourless chocolate cake The Red Balloon has ever tasted, a canoli, and tiramasu. 

The North End feasts may have ended for the season but Artu offers endless feasting on Prince Street and at its Charles' Street location.

Happy Feasting!

Cape Cod Adventure

The Red Balloon travels to a new part of Cape Cod: Yarmouth.

In Yarmouth, you can find endless places to explore.

While staying in Yarmouth, the Hampton Inn and Suites are conveniently located on Route 28 which makes it easy to get to other places on Cape Cod and is literally minutes from Main Street in Hyannis.

The Hampton Inn and Suites offers complimentary breakfast. In addition to indoor breakfast, they offer a full breakfast over by the pool just in case you desire to eat with a view! Countless amenities are available at the Hampton Inn and Suites including an indoor and outdoor pool, gym, and a whirlpool. For those desiring the beach, this location is ideal. Within minutes of the hotel is Seagull Beach. Insider tip: continue walking further down the beach and you will find that there is plenty of space no matter how crowded it appears on first glance! Photo proof below!

                                    
                                        

While at the beach, be sure to tell the two brothers who do an impeccable job of making sure things run smoothly in the parking lot, that The Red Balloon sent you!

Within minutes of the hotel are great places to eat and see. There are plenty of options for miniature golf including Wild Animal Lagoon which offers endless photo opportunities while enjoying some rounds of mini golf.

If you find yourself visiting prior to Columbus Day, be sure to take part in the Yarmouth Sand Sculpture Trail. The Hampton Inn and Suites has their very own Sand Sculpture (as seen below) in this annual Yarmouth competition.                                   

                                                            

While exploring Yarmouth you are sure to see more sand sculptures. The one below was among a favorite contender.

                                      

While in Yarmouth, The Red Balloon highly recommends dining at DiParma Italian Table. The music and ambiance of the restaurant makes it a must-see. The food makes it a must visit on your next trip to Yarmouth.  The property is a hidden gem in Yarmouth. It truly feels like a bit of Tuscany right on Cape Cod! Insider tip: Be sure to make reservations. The restaurant opens at 4 pm nightly and without reservations you may need to wait for an hour or more to obtain a table. Note: Seating outside is limited but essential!

                                             

Pictured above, DiParma's outdoor seating. Take a seat and be transported to an Italian villa (no passport required!) Pictured below: DiParma's exquisite eggplant parmigiana. Trust The Red Balloon, patrons come back night after night to enjoy the food here. 

                                        

Where will The Red Balloon be next?

Stay tuned for the next stop.

                                                        

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/Summer 2026:Stay tuned for more from The Travel Series as The Red Balloon takes on an even bigger island!

Happy Birthday

 Happy Birthday to The Red Balloon!

Paris: Photo Tour

The Red Balloon recently visited the iconic city of Paris.

Here's a photo tour to enjoy!

Adieu!

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.

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!