Honeymoon WIDELUX Roll #2, Santa Margarita Ligure (Grand Hotel Miramare)

 Back in our favorite place. Major tanning time. 

This first day here was like a childrens pool. There were so many families and lots and lots of kids.

The beach club. 90% local guests. These signified by blue subeds. The hotel guests were yellow, scattered here and there. 

This mirror has the best color and vibe. It perfectly frames the beach club. It also is a little warped and gives a fun clown-house vibe. 

There were so many school-aged kids running around playing. They were so capable. We watched two of them launch a small inflatable boat from the shore, row out using the big ores several times longer than their whole body, and catch a fish with a net and bring it back to shore all within the span of a few minutes. It was so cool. 

Here they were playing rock paper scissors on the diving deck, and with each hand lost, they would inch closer and closer to the edge of the deck - loser falls in. 

Lat picture from our hotel near the train station in Milan - this was just before our 1 star michelin dinner and just after our mcdonalds big mac. 

Honeymoon WIDELUX Roll #1 - Ischia

 

View from our spot on day 1, by the sea at Mezzatorre. 

Pantea relaxing under the "Mezza torre," or half tower. This hotel was originally a watchtower that was never finished. Thus, the half tower was born. 

View from the main attraction of Ischia - Castello Aragonese. 

The view from our spot at Giardino Eden, a small beach club and restaurant on the west side of the island. Essentially only accessible by taxi boat, which is what we took.

This was down and to the left of our spot. The club was essentially built around a rock centered within a collection of 4 or five large rocks just off the coast. The central rock housed only 3 or 4 spots (one was ours), and all the rest were on wooden decks built around the rock. 

View from the coast where we were eating lunch. 

This is the little area where all the hotel guests (and outside guests) collect for the early evening aperitif. Each drink came with a little amuse bouche (on the house). This along with olives and chips and all that. It was stunningly beautiful and always with a pianist and the nicest service and bartenders who quickly picked up on your orders and habits. 

Last stop on the last day before leaving for SML was Baia di Sorgeto. This is a moderately sized bay accessible by about 100 steps down from the windy island road above (or by boat). The main attraction is a natural thermal spring that drains directly into the sea. So there are some rocks and planks organized in such a way to collect this water along the waterline. The thought is to have a nice contrast between the super hot thermal water and the cool sea water. This day the water was actually quite rough. There was an onshore wind and actually decent sized waves and swell, so there wasnt too much room on the beach. There was a small simple cafe and beach club (just a few sunbeds and chairs for rent). I could have spent all day here, but we didnt have the time sadly. It was a beautiful little natural cove with everything you could need - food, beer, sun, shade, sea, and interesting people coming and going to observe as the hours pass. 

Final shot at Mezzatorre prior to departure. I love these umbrellas...

WIDELUX post-Paris, pre-Wedding

 

This was before the Palisades fire. We just drove through here for the first time since then (its August 2025 now). Its obviously changed around here - but the sand and the bridge are still there. Maybe we will go hang there this weekend...

We redid our roof at the end of last summer. Took out all the green top and replaced with gravel for a cleaner look. Put potted plants, lime and lemon trees, passionfruit. It makes it way way more pleasant to hang up there. 

BUB'S...

Patrons

Tragoedia/Comoedia - Jeff Bridges inspo

Buzz