Away from it all ...

Maldives - Huvafen Fushi

Crisis? What crisis, you might ask: the Maldives was clearly the global destination winner last year.

Huvafen Fushi - comeback of a legend

Normally, sustainably operating hotels set up a foundation to fund conservation programs and social projects in the surrounding area. In the case of the Fogo Island Inn, it worked the other way around. Back in 2004, the eighth-generation siblings Zita and Alan Cobb, who grew up on Fogo Island in Newfoundland, founded the non-profit foundation "Shorefast" to raise money for the preservation of local nature and culture. In 2013, they opened the spectacular Fogo Island Inn with 21 rooms and suites, which is probably unique in the world due to its location, architecture and holistic-sustainable design. The Newfoundland architect Todd Saunders created a house that is strongly inspired by the local architecture and is built partly on stilts and juts out spectacularly into the coastal landscape. Lucky are those who can check into one of the Sunrise or Sunset corner suites, which offer floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides. There is no more direct way to immerse yourself in the wild beauty of the island while sitting in front of a blazing wood-burning stove, protected from the wind and weather.



This spectacular scenario can also be admired from the restaurant, where everything the island has to offer is prepared according to the seasons: hand-fished cod, seafood, vegetables, berries ... Only 20 percent of all ingredients that simply cannot grow locally are bought in. But of course it is also worth leaving the beautiful Inn and going on long hikes across the almost untouched island, which is geologically one of the oldest places on earth.

In summer, whales pass by here, which can be observed on organized boat trips. With seven officially declared seasons, each of which offers typical island activities such as fishing, snowmobiling, flora and fauna tours and workshops with local artists, each season has its own special fascination. And the good thing is that all the profits from the Fogo Island Inn flow back into the foundation, which ensures that one of the last "wild spots" on the global map remains as it is.
www.fogoislandinn.ca



Text: Simone Dressler