|
For renowned photographer Eric Antoniou, the end of March — when he will travel to Costa Rica for a vacation — can’t get here fast enough. “I’ve never been and I only hear good things about it,” he said in a recent interview. Antoniou, 60, is one of the region’s premier music photographers. His images have chronicled the evolution of the music scene in Boston and beyond for the past 40 years. His subjects range from A-list rock musicians — including David Bowie and the Rolling Stones — to jazz, blues, and classical greats. Many of Antoniou’s photographs are on display in an exhibit, “Rock to Baroque,” at The Cabot in Beverly through the end of February. His photographs will also be on display in May at Spencer Lofts Gallery in Chelsea. These exhibits come after the release of his 240-page coffee table book, “Rock to Baroque: Four Decades of Music Photography,” released in May 2025. The cover of his book (available for purchase at ericantoniou.com) features a shot of Bowie performing at Foxboro Stadium in 1990. “I think that picture captures him. Bowie was all about change and innovation, and I caught that emotion and the essence of who he was. He was an amazing performer,” he said. Antoniou, who came to Boston from Kerasia, Greece, in 1983, attended UMass Boston and then The New England School of Photography (which closed in 2020). An avid music fan, he began taking concert photos as a teenager and never stopped. “It’s been an amazing career,” he said. We caught up with Antoniou, a part-time dog dad (“I have a friend who travels a lot, so I take care of Frankie, a precious little Yorkshire Terrier,” he gushed), who lives in Chelsea, to talk about all things travel.
If you could travel anywhere right now, where would you go?
I’m planning on going to Costa Rica at the end of March. I like the fact that it’s one of the few countries in the world that does not have an army. It’s a beautiful country with rain forests, beaches, wildlife, and of course, Pura Vida!
Do you prefer booking trips through a travel agent or on your own?
I don’t use travel agencies to book trips, and I’ve never been on an organized vacation. The closest experience I’ve had was a bus day trip from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon. There is always a basic itinerary with room to improvise.
Thoughts on an “unplugged” vacation?
I cannot completely “unplug.” When I visit my village or a Greek island, I stay away from the news and social media … put the phone aside and live in the moment.
What has been your worst vacation experience?
I got seafood poisoning at the train station in Seville, Spain, in the early ’90s. I was on the fast train to Madrid, and I got very sick. I then had to change train stations in Madrid to take an overnight slow train to Paris. It was one long night.
What is your favorite childhood travel memory?
When I was 7, I took the bus from my small village in the mountains to Kartisa, a city with about 30,000 people. I was with my older brother, and it was the first time I had seen so many people, cars, motorcycles … and [there was] so much noise.
Do you vacation to relax, to learn, or for the adventure of it all?
I like to combine relaxation and adventure. It’s great to go to the beach, but I don’t want to spend the whole day there. Wherever I go, I have to photograph the people.
What book do you plan on bringing with you to read on your next vacation?
A friend gave me “The Sea and the Bells” by Pablo Neruda. He is one of my favorite poets.
If you could travel with one famous person/celebrity, who would it be?
Tom Waits. He is one of my favorite musicians. He is such a unique character and a great storyteller.
What is the best gift to give a traveler?
A compass. Joking. I think that a power bank would be useful while traveling. We all have many devices that require charging.
What is your go-to snack for a flight or a road trip?
I always bring a bag with walnuts, peanuts, almonds, and roasted chickpeas. Also, I have Cliff bars in my camera bag.
What is the coolest souvenir you’ve picked up on a vacation?
While visiting Greece in 1991, I came across a mint-condition Zenit Russian camera for $50. It’s still in my collection of cameras.
What is your favorite app/website for travel?
I’ve been using Kayak for many years. I like the filters they have; it makes it easy to find flights and hotels.
What has travel taught you?
How to live for a period of time out of a suitcase. Travel opens up your mind. You learn about different countries, cultures, and people. There is nothing like being there.
What is your best travel tip?
Learn a few simple words in the language of the country that you’re visiting.
| 
