between the Mediterranean Sea and the
Strait of Gibraltar. It was no surprise that a
little while after my imaginary vacation, I
had the solution to my design challenge.
Europe is the best destination in the
world for not only soaking in culture, but
also finding inspiration in unexpected
places. A charming cobblestone street
may lead you toward a locals-only
pub where you can learn a traditional
song. You can attend contemporary art
exhibitions in cosmopolitan cities that
push the envelope. And beyond the built
environment, you can find brilliance and
wonder in rolling hills and hidden forests.
Inside, you’ll find a fascinating write up
of the UNESCO World Heritage site of
Diocletian’s Palace, the largest and bestpreserved
example of Roman palatial
architecture. Also delight in learning more
about Russian ballet and the grandeur of
St. Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre, as well
as tips on how to get the most out of your
visit to the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican
museums. Yet, the magic of Europe is not
only reserved for its grand attractions,
its diminutive icons are also brilliant, like
Copenhagen’s four-foot Little Mermaid
statue. As you will read, she may be the
smallest attraction in Denmark’s stylish
capital city, but she is perhaps the most
beloved. And what is a tinier detail that the
print of the vibrantly-colored textiles of
Provence’s les indiennes? The featured fabrics
serve as a calling card for southern France.
Within these pages you’ll also find
that I wrote an article—a love letter, if
you will—to the master, Antoni Gaudí.
I am by no means a writer, but I can fill
reams of paper describing his still under
construction, psychedelic masterpiece
La Sagrada Família, his Seussian Park
Güell, and the work that most impacted
my design aesthetic is Casa Batlló. It’s one
thing to see these works through a screen
or a coffee table book, but there is no
replacement for being in Barcelona and
taking in Catalonia’s proud and resilient
culture along with the art. Beyond the
Gothic Quarter, you can feel a whirlwind of
creative energy, with abstract artists livepainting
in the neighborhood of El Raval.
Those are the experiences that can only
be appreciated by traveling to a place and
witnessing its beauty firsthand.
Something special happens to us when
we embark on a journey to Europe. For a
few precious days, we open ourselves up
to new adventures that lead to incredible
moments at equally impressive places.
Beyond a physical adventure, we also get
to experience our shared humanity with
those we meet along the way and learn
about our storied past. Every article in
this issue, whether it’s the simplicity of
brightly colored scarves worn by women
in Jerusalem or famed film productions set
in Ireland’s stunning landscape, is meant
to celebrate imagination and ingenuity. I
hope that this issue inspires you to dream
of the places that spark your creativity.
Warmly,
Janice Davidson
Vice President, Creative & Brand Experience
Regent Seven Seas Cruises®
I was deep in thought while attempting
to come up with a design idea that was at
once innovative, beautiful and functional.
There are times when the inspiration
comes to me in a flash, but, unfortunately,
this was not one of those moments. It
was as if nothing felt right. So, I went in
search of the muse by delving into the
art and architecture of Europe. From
medieval monasteries and Renaissance
castles to cutting-edge modern design,
this sole destination had everything I
needed to awaken my senses and stir up
the inspiration I need to put my vision on
paper. I found myself looking back at my
photos of Sintra Palace. I viewed beautiful
image galleries of Moroccan buildings and
took a virtual tour of Athens. Although
I had seen these places before, I saw
something new in the colors, the style
and the inventiveness of these artists and
architects. It helped me recall forgotten
memories from my travels. It made me
long to be on a ship that was somewhere
introduction
LETTER from
the CREATIVE
DIRECTOR