In this week’s (online) New York Magazine the weekend travel section recommends both Merida and Mid-Coast Maine. And, as far as I know from my own experience, their assessment is pretty spot on.

Hacienda Xcanatun is a lovely place for a decent meal, but it’s the surrounding grounds that truly invite escape. The endorsement of Urbano Rentals I cannot condone, as I found the proprietors surly and strange, though their houses certainly are magnificent. And now more than before I am curious to get inside the suites at Rosas y Xocolate; I’ve seen the handsome lobby and sunny luncheon patio and the location on the Paseo de Montejo is obviously unparalleled. (To think I used to live one block back from there!) Of the dining options I can only comment on La Pigua, which was less than impressive when we ate there last month. I wish they’d taken it up to Los Taquitos de PM. I love that they’ve included Cuzama in things to do. We heart this little cenote pueblo and have been seven times, with every group of visitors. And their comparison of La68 to Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, while somewhat ridiculous, is not entirely inaccurate. It is a soothing, artsy space and tonight they are showing Woody Allen’s Bananas, which I should totally go and see. So glad NYM agrees that a day on the Ruta Puuc, culminating in Uxmal, is insanely great.

Since the winter of last year I have said to anyone who will listen, without agenda or compensation, that Camden, Maine is the cutest little town in America. And I had harbored hopes of moving there one day. While we’ve decided to set up shop in Portland for the next year, which is forty-five minutes south of the mid coast, I hope to visit this magical setting often and throughout the seasons. Since I’ve only been there in January I cannot speak to all the farmers fares, farms and and festivals remarked upon in the article, but they do recommend Cappy’s Chowder House, where Malcolm and I enjoyed a very cozy meal. And the thing they don’t say is that when you drive down into the village, past French and Brawn market and The Owl and Turtle bookshop and you catch your first glimpse of the library on a hill overlooking the ocean you will literally lose your breath and experience in a flash your own idyllic life of old books and brisk walks and babies in little red wagons. At least, if you’re anything like me.

There are many amazing places I have yet to go, in fact I haven’t seen most; but it is quite cool that two towns I know well or would like to, and will always go back to, are on the New York Mag map.

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