Travelling in Style
In her newest book Travels with Chufy, Vogue and Conde Nast travel and fashion contributor Sofia Sanchez de Betak takes readers on a trip to undiscovered hideaways around the world
It was the children’s author Roald Dahl who said, “And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.” This statement pretty much applies to many tourists in that they fail to see the treasures hidden in some of the world’s most popular destinations in their desire to stick to better-known sights on tour. This certainly isn’t the case with Argentinian style and design influencer Sofia Sanchez de Betak who is also known as Chufy.
In her upcoming book Travels with Chufy: Confidential Destinations, Chufy literally travels the road not taken and takes readers on a fascinating journey that showcases beautiful destinations off the beaten path: a roster that covers off-the-radar places and out-of-the-way retreats unspoilt by commercial tourism. As a long-time contributor to the likes of Condé Nast Traveler and Vogue, Chufy’s prose reads like the journal of an old friend as she regales readers with glowing descriptions from her trips. Her words conjure images and scenarios from novels set in exotic locales. Her description of the Albergo del Purgatorio, a quaint boutique hotel in Naples, is reminiscent of The Cemetery of Forgotten Books from the novels of Catalan author Carlos Ruiz Zafón in that guests are encouraged to leave a book of their choice behind when they leave. The one for the
Marco Polo Mansion in Greece, on the other hand, evokes the feeling of being in its artist-owner’s studio and watching as his masterpieces come to life.
But Chufy is, perhaps, at her best at awakening readers’ senses with her experiences, particularly in places where wildlife abounds and one’s accommodations seem to blend seamlessly with their surroundings. The splashing rush of a wild river in a rainforest, the homey aroma of bread baking in a communal oven in Morocco, and the sight of stars glittering on a clear night sky in the African savannah are all apt to stir wanderlust even in the most laid-back armchair travellers.
This is a book that travels the globe from the shores of the most beautiful beaches to the ice-covered fjords of Scandinavia: each picture is part of an amazing panorama. As informative as it is entertaining, Travels with Chufy also features keen insights into each destination’s most mouth-watering specialities, local arts and crafts, and essential souvenirs.
This is definitely not a book for those who prefer cookie-cutter guided tours; this is for those who are truly passionate about travel, those keen on exploring every facet of a city, and those who pride themselves on being ready for any adventure anytime. As the author puts it, “Venturing out into the world—armed with little more than a carry-on, a camera, and a fiery passion for exploration—I have discovered that there is nothing I love better than getting lost in translation and translating my way out.”
For more information about the book, visit assouline.com.