So there's this place...

2 weeks ago | sotheresthisplace.substack.com | Monica Mendal

“Do you want to stop for coffee?” Gianfranco, my driver from Puglia Auto Classica asked me as we walked through the archway into Monopoli’s old town. It was early in the morning and cafés were slowly beginning to open. I hesitated for a second because I didn’t want to waste time as I was booked for only three hours with him and had three towns I wanted to squeeze in during that period. I was living in New York City at the time and had recently transitioned from a fashion editor to a travel writer.

1 month ago | sotheresthisplace.substack.com | Monica Mendal

In hotel news, there’s a lot to talk about in the South of France this summer. Here are a few worthy highlights as you plan your summer travel to the French Riviera…Last summer, the South of France was buzzing with the highly anticipated opening of Hôtel du Couventin Nice, and I can wholeheartedly attest that it lived up to the hype. The property and everything they’ve done with it is remarkable.

1 month ago | sotheresthisplace.substack.com | Monica Mendal

Everyone has that friend they turn to for travel advice. I like to think I’ve become that friend for you—even if we’ve never met, I’ve loved getting to connect with so many of you in our Substack chat. As for me, I feel lucky to be surrounded by friends with deep, firsthand knowledge from years working in the travel industry—plus impeccable taste, original points-of-view, and a real gift for storytelling—so many of my best travel insights come directly from conversations with them.

1 month ago | sotheresthisplace.substack.com | Monica Mendal

I’ve been fortunate to visit the Greek Islands many times—often returning to favorites like Sifnos and Milos, while also discovering new islands with each trip, thanks to the ease and frequency of the ferries. As partial as I am to a great hotel—and there’s no shortage of epic ones on the Greek Islands (see my consolidated Vogue list here)—I’m particularly fond of stays whose elemental spirit speaks indelibly of their location. I call these secret stays.

2 months ago | sotheresthisplace.substack.com | Monica Mendal

Welcome back to Travel Troubleshoot, a ~monthly series where I answer paid subscribers’ travel questions submitted via our Substack chat. So, let’s talk about where you’re traveling this year or what places you’re curious about.