A Weekend in Gstaad

If - like the Cabana team - you find yourself in the northern hemisphere reaching for extra layers and dreaming of warmer climes, read on. We've collated our most popular insider guides to the Cabana Editors' favorite 'Winter Sun' destinations - you'll be guaranteed mild temperatures, our go-to addresses, enriching cultural experiences, and even a side of sunshine.

Step inside the enchanting Roman home of architectural historian Giada Lepri, an historic space where tradition and personal style intertwine in perfect harmony. The carefully restored 18th-century apartment, near Piazza Farnese, is brimming with Italian character, hidden treasures, and a rich story still partly to be discovered.

Gstaad has long attracted an eclectic group of 'habitués', sophisticated globetrotters who have chosen the charming Swiss village as their annual holiday or yearlong spot. This is reflected in Gstaad's exciting events, festivals, and parties throughout the year, says Gstaad regular, Fabrizia Caracciolo. She shares insider's tips for a memorable weekend.

In Stockholm’s Bellevue Park, Carl Eldh’s Ateljémuseum remains frozen in time. It is a studio where plasters, portraits, and personal effects linger as though their maker has only just stepped away. Emma Becque and Isabel Bronts take a rare glimpse into the preserved world of one of Sweden’s most celebrated sculptors.

When Europe starts moving into its winter slumber, Morocco feels like a burst of sunshine, writes Provençe-based photographer Joanna Maclennan. She takes her camera on a vibrant journey through the North African nation, discovering that Tangier and its nearby 'blue city' truly awaken all the senses. The best way to discover these magical cities is, as the French would say, to ‘flâner’ through - and get a little bit lost in - the colors and details you encounter.

There is a particular art to collecting—a pursuit led by intuition as much as scholarship, where objects are acquired not just for their aesthetic value, but for their ability to hold and transmit stories. For Melissa Ulfane, founder of Pushkin Press, collecting has always been about narrative, layering history with instinct, and place with memory. She talks to Cabana ahead of a major auction of its covetable contents. 

A tiny island full of eccentric charm, rich history and colorful houses - and mercifully still free of beach clubs - Kastellorizo quickly imprints itself upon Kate Lough. After a 22-hour journey from Athens, her days are filled with ebullient Greek hospitality and afternoon swims. Kate shares a postcard from the lesser-visited (but no less special) Aegean island.

Oscar Wilde famously wrote of San Francisco: "It must be a delightful city and possess all the attractions of the next world. For California-based writer, Parissa Mostaedi, it's no wonder this 'City by the Bay' has captivated the imagination of so many. It has everything, from cultural heritage and diverse architecture to evocative landscapes and excellent restaurants and museums. Parissa shares an insider's guide for anyone planning their own San Francisco adventures.

A 19th-century mansion behind huge imposing doors and left uninhabited for decades, Casapiane feels frozen in time. It was here in Bordeaux that Cécile d’Amade Briant fell under its charm and knew it would make the most atmospheric setting for her intriguing business. Joanna Maclennan takes a tour.

Tastemaking French-Moroccan entrepreneur Touria El Glaoui founded the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair in 2013, bringing works by established and emerging African artists to London, New York and Marrakech. Just ahead of 2025's first 1-54, in Marrakech, Touria shares an insider's guide for anyone visiting the dazzling Moroccan city.

Known for its elegant, historic boulevards, world-class museums and expansive green spaces, Madrid is a vibrant destination for art and design lovers. It is also constantly evolving, rivalling Barcelona’s reputation as Spain’s most charismatic city. Madrid-based designers, Mafalda Muñoz and Gonzalo Machado, share an insider’s guide.

With its world-class museums and gastronomic scene, homegrown design brands and impressive sustainability credentials, Copenhagen firmly flies the flag for the globally-influential 'Scandinavian chic'. The Danish capital - regularly voted one of Europe's happiest cities - makes for an unmissable weekend break too. Copenhagen-based designer and editor, Caroline Feiffer, share an insider’s guide.