Tag Archive for travel

10 Spectacular Spots for a Girls’ Getaway

March 20, 2013 / / Comments Off

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Leave your spouse, kids and worries at home—it’s time for a well-deserved girls’ trip! Here are 10 of our favorite spots to kick back and relax with your favorite females.

Photos courtesy of Cabot & Company, GolfDash Blog, Caribbean Travel & Leisure, Sally Bernstein, Encyclopedia Britannica and Surf Diva

{Counter-clockwise from top right}

1. Boston: A stroll down Boston’s famed Newbury Street is a must for girlfriends looking to spend a little green. With shops including Chanel, Valentino and Marc Jacobs—and a charming brownstones backdrop—you really can’t go wrong.

2. Palm Springs: Don your polo shirt and embark on a golfing getaway! Palm Springs is home to an array of stunning courses, including the Arnold-Palmer-designed SilverRock course (the longest layout in Palm Springs).

3. Isla Mujeres, Mexico: A girls’ trip to a destination that means “Island of Women” is fate, right? The island is just 5 miles long, but provides plenty of shop-filled streets and fishing-village-charm—perfect for catching up with old (and new) friends.

4. Napa County: Wine and dine in Napa with your closest pals; the area boasts breathtaking views, vineyard tours and—of course—tons of tasting rooms.

5. London: Jaunt to London’s West End for a theatre-hopping girls’ getaway. The area is home to over 40 venues featuring dramas, comedies and more, so you’re sure to find something that appeals to everyone your group.

6. Nosara, Costa Rica: Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, the all-inclusive Surf Diva Costa Rica Surf Adventure camp combines women-only surfing lessons with al fresco yoga sessions and freshly-prepared meals.

Photos courtesy of the American Enterprise Institute, the Canadian Acoustical Association, Susan Seubert Photography and Andrew Harper

{Counter-clockwise from top right}

7. Las Vegas: Head to the desert for a quintessential girls’ weekend. From award-winning spas to white-knuckle thrill rides to the country’s hottest nightclubs, Las Vegas has it all (just remember: what happens there doesn’t always stay there).

8. Vancouver: Skip the Big Apple and head to the “Manhattan with mountains” for a scenic shopping and sightseeing adventure. Downtown Vancouver is peppered with luxury shops, music venues and plenty of poutine.

9. Maui, Hawaii: Sometimes there’s nothing better than enjoying a beachside piña colada. Maui’s Kaanapali Beach offers plenty of oceanfront relaxation, along with scuba diving, snorkeling, shopping and people-watching.

10. Austin: A destination in itself, the Lake Austin Spa Resort in Austin comprises 19 waterfront acres, 3 pools and included activities like water yoga, tarot reading and poker. Oh, and did we mention the swoon-worthy LakeHouse Spa?

Category: Noteworthy / Tags: , , , ,

Express Yourself with Homemade Espresso

March 19, 2013 / / Comments Off

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Le Champlain Hotel in Montreal boasts 24-hour espresso service in its lobby. It’s a pretty unique feature–latte at 3am! We can’t exactly imagine a scenario in which anyone needs espresso at 3am (fighting crime? writing a novel?), but hey, you never know.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

But If the idea of 24-hour-a-day espresso access sounds appealing, then you’re going to need an espresso machine at home. Making espresso can seem daunting, but the process doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are a few options for your home, ranging from super simple models to pretty hands-on machines.

Nespresso Pixie – Turn it on, toss in a pre-measured coffee pod, and press the brew button: Presto! Perfect homemade espresso. Nespresso also makes one-touch milk frothers to accompany your machine.

KRUPS XP601050 – This simple machine looks great in its stainless housing, and makes a good cup to boot. The thermoblock heater warms up quickly, and you have the option of hand-tamping or using an espresso pod.

Breville Barista Express – Packed with features but still (relatively) affordable, this all-in-one grinds, pulls shots, and froths with ease. Highly customizable, this machine is perfect for people who want to explore the craft of getting perfect crema and smooth, silky foam.

La Marzocco GS/3 – Got $7,000 laying around? Loaded with commercial-grade features, the Italian-made GS/3 has enough power and precision to run a small coffee shop, nevermind make the perfect morning cup. This is the Aston Martin of home machines.

Category: Gizmos & Gadgets / Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Celebrate St. Patrick with Irish Pubs around the Country!

March 17, 2013 / / Comments Off

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day, fellow travelers! Here in Boston, we’re lucky enough to get front-row access to the second-largest parade in the country: The South Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Boston’s also home to a slew of famous Irish pubs, like the Eire Pub (located just a hop, skip and a jump from Nine Zero, a Kimpton Hotel). In addition to touting pints of Guinness and hot lunches, Eire Pub is known for playing host to Presidents Clinton and Reagan. But Boston isn’t the only city that embraces the Emerald Isle; here are 3 more pubs across the country that we can all say “Sláinte” in.

Photos courtesy of Butch McGuire’s, The Dubliner and Molly Malone’s

{From left}

Chicago: One of Chi-Town’s original “singles bars,” Butch McGuire’s is said to have brought together over 5,000 couples. And if you’re not looking for a wee bit of lovin’, at least stop by for their signature Irish coffee.

Washington, D.C: Named after the famous James Joyce novel, The Dubliner is an authentic Celtic pub that serves up traditional drinks and dishes alongside nightly Irish jigs, ballads and more.

Los Angeles: Raise a glass at Molly Malone‘s! This dimly-lit brick-and-wood venue is a hot spot for live local and Irish music.

Category: Around Town, In Season / Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Our Favorite Seaside Towns

March 15, 2013 / / Comments Off

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Camden, Maine, has everything you want in a coastal village. Scenic views from Mt. Battie, a quaint and bustling downtown featuring unique shops, outstanding local seafood, and welcoming Inns and B&Bs like the Camden Maine Stay Inn.

But while Maine may have a lock on charming seaside escapes, it’s hardly the only place travelers can go to get a little oceanside R&R. Here are a few of our favorite coastal getaways:

Clockwise from top left: Carmel shopping, Motif #1 in Rockport, aerial view of Friday Harbor, sunset over Sanibel Island. Photos courtesy of carmelcalifornia.com, Shutterstock, and visitsanjuans.com.

Friday Harbor, Washington – It’s not uncommon to spot an orca or two on your way to Friday Harbor, located in the San Juan Islands between Washington and British Columbia. The town is tranquil, friendly, and a little bit rugged, and features a vibrant arts scene and, of course, plenty of coffee shops.

Rockport, Massachusetts – A walk down Rockport’s famed Bearskin Neck is a must-do. Lined by shops, galleries, and lobster pounds, visitors are rewarded with a memorable view of the Atlantic at the Neck’s end. Don’t miss Motif #1, a famous red structure decorated with buoys, which is said to be the most photographed building in the world.

Sanibel, Florida – This is not Walt Disney’s Sunshine State. Much of Sanibel is set aside as a nature preserve, and its beaches are famous for the pristine and prized seashells that regularly wash up. Oh, and don’t miss the fabulous sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico.

Carmel, CA – Mix a little bit of posh and a whole lot of California you get Carmel, a fog-bound hamlet just south of Monterey. The shopping and dining on Ocean Ave is outstanding, and the long sandy beach is perfect for a stroll. Architecture fans will enjoy spotting Carmel’s unique and often quirky homes near the sea.

Category: Around Town / Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Embark on a Hotel-Led Animal Adventure!

March 13, 2013 / / Comments Off

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While writing about the Tree of Life Resort and Spa in Jaipur, India, we became smitten with the hotel. Private outdoor spas adorn each villa’s lawn, while the dazzling open-air patio offers valley views and live music. Best of all, the hotel offers a once-in-a-lifetime elephant excursion.  Picture this: You’ll be guided through the lush Aravalli range atop a beautifully-decorated elephant before enjoying a relaxing hillside meal in the company of, well, your elephant! If you can’t make it to India, here are a few other hotels around the world that offer quality time with our animal friends.

Photos courtesy of The Peabody Memphis, NBCNews.com and PAW

{From left}

The Peabody Memphis in Memphis, TN

For 70 years, this southern escape has been home to in-house ducks … along with an official Duckmaster. Along with feeding and training the mallards, the Duckmaster leads them on a morning parade down an adoring-fan-lined red carpet to the lobby’s fountain—where they remain until 5:00PM, when they’re led back to their rooftop Royal Duck Palace.

Ashford Castle in Cong, Ireland

This site of this historic, five-star luxury hotel has played host to the Anglo-Norman House of Burke, the Browne Family and … an aerie of Harris Hawks. At the on-site School of Falconry, guests can embark on a hour-long private Hawk Walk, where they’ll get the chance to fly their hawk around the castle’s gardens and woodlands.

XV Beacon Hotel in Boston, MA and Craddock Terry Hotel in Lynchburg, VA

If you can’t bring your four-legged friend(s) with you on vacation, why not visit a hotel that brings the pups to you? At XV Beacon, guests are greeted by Heidi, a Bernese Mountain Dog who’s head-over-paws for playtime on the roof deck. And if you find yourself in central Virginia, be sure to say hello to Buster Brown. Craddock Terry Hotel’s Wire Fox Terrier concierge will happily accompany guests on walks around the neighborhood.

Category: Around Town, Pet Friendly / Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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