Enlarge Photo

Why Go Now: Myanmar

Foodie: Wine with a Conscience

3-Day Itinerary: Sydney

Save the Date: Live Spring Souk in May

Plus: A Dispatch from Langkawi and a chance to get behind the scenes of Cuba’s Biennial.

Dream. Plan. Book. Over the past five months we have hosted four Indagare Insider trips to Havana. We will return again this spring from May 19-23 for a trip celebrating the 11th Havana Biennial, which explores the theme of Art Practices and Social Imageries. The itinerary combines our favorite scouted spots with the incredible buzz of the Biennial. Limited spots are available, please contact Brooke Pearson for details at brookep@indagare.com or 212-988-0396.

Why Go Now: Myanmar

Good news keeps streaming out of Myanmar: last week’s elections resulted in a parliamentary seat for Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the National League for Democracy and the Obama administration is slated to soon appoint a U.S. ambassador (the first since 1990). It’s not just the political shift that has turned the southeast Asian country into this year’s most buzzed about destination. Plugged-in travelers are discovering the cultural riches of Myanmar, like the temple-strewn fields of Bagan, the ancient capital of Mandalay and the on-the-water gardens of Inle Lake. Indagare’s Simone Girner recently returned from what she dubbed a “trip of a lifetime,” during which she explored buzzing Yangon, while based at one of southeast Asia’s loveliest hotels, and ballooned across the gilded pagodas of Bagan. Read about her adventures and contact our Bookings Team for help planning a trip: Myanmar 2012.

Foodie: Wine with a Conscience

“Wine with a why” is the impetus behind Cultivate, the one-year-old company that sources the best grapes from around the world and produces its own label. Ten percent of all sales are donated to educational charities chosen by the consumers. (2012 has already seen a $100,000 given away). Indagare spoke to Ali and Charles Banks, the inspiring winemakers behind Cultivate (they were previously at cult label Screaming Eagle) about this new endeavor, as well as about their favorite wines and the world’s best places to enjoy a glass, including a South African vineyard where classical music is played to the grapes. Read: Wine with a Conscience.

3-Day Itinerary: Sydney

This year Indagare founder Melissa Biggs Bradley spent spring break with her family in one of her all-time favorite destinations: Sydney. “Whether you see the city by sea plane, jet boat, yacht or ferry, it’s centered around the water and having fun,” she writes. Days are spent celebrating its glorious setting and with Aussie’s typical a lack of formality that brings ages together, not apart. At the end of the trip, which included the city’s best beaches, seaside restaurant and daredevil sights, Melissa’s kids were so enamored they vowed to return for college semesters; suffice it to say, they aren’t even in high school yet. Read Melissa’s 3-Day Itinerary for Families and stay posted for the best lodges in Australia. Read: Three Days in Sydney.

Save the Date: Live Souk in NYC

The Indagare Souk is coming to New York City’s Hotel Plaza Athénée on May 7, 8 and 9. This spring will be the biggest Indagare Souk to date featuring more than 25 designers and artisans from all over the world. Save the date to shop for chic finds, including the perfect summer clutches in vivid colors from Brazil, sparkly summer jewelry from Jaipur, stunning shorts hand-embroidered in the Philippines, timeless kaftans and cover-ups from Istanbul and India and wonderful hostess gifts, like table linens from Mexico, pillows from Malawi and much more.

Also New on Indagare: Indagare contributor Elena Bowes explores the Four Seasons Langkawi, in Malaysia. Coming Soon: a Destination Report on Singapore.